Tobacco and nicotine dependence results in a tremendous negative impact on the health of society. Although there has been a decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking in many developed countries, exposure to nicotine remains a substantial problem worldwide. Of concern is the recent escalation in e-cigarette use among various age groups who were never exposed to tobacco cigarettes. Given the safety profile of e-cigarette is still unknown, it has become essential to better understand the impact of e-cigarettes use on human health. With an increasing number of research groups interested in studying the effects of e-cigarettes, it is essential that studies are coordinated by clarifying methods of administration, product content, and area of observation, based on the best available scientific evidence.
To facilitate the adoption of an evidence-based approach to e-cigarette research, the aim of this research topic is to collect a comprehensive body of research to clarify the current state of evidence relating to the use of e-cigarettes. Of interest were the articles that addressed the following questions:
• How do we study the use of e-cigarettes? (e.g., basic research vs clinical studies)
• What are the known effects of e-cigarettes on the brain to date?
• What are the known effects of e-cigarettes on peripheral organs to date?
• Are there any adverse long-term genetic modifications caused by e-cigarettes?
• What is the future of e-cigarette research?
• How can e-cigarettes induce subsequent drug intake behaviors?
• How do policy and legal frameworks impact on e-cigarette usage among various age groups?
• What do we know about the factors associated with the initiation and continuance of e-cigarettes?
Keywords: nicotine, e-cigarettes
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
